Business Details
14 Years
experience
Trusted Family Law Attorneys in The Woodlands, TX
DeFord Law Firm has been dedicated to providing honest and practical legal advice since 2012. With over 25 years of combined experience in family law, estate planning, and probate, we prioritize client education and empowerment through complex legal processes. Our attorneys serve Houston and surrounding areas, including The Woodlands, Katy, and Tomball, offering personalized support in divorce, child custody, adoption, wills, trusts, and guardianship.Recognized for excellence by Living Magazine and Modern Luxury Magazine, we combine deep local knowledge with a commitment to client-centered service, ensuring families feel informed and supported during life's pivotal moments.
Services
Divorce
Child Custody
Child Support
Estate Planning
Probate
Guardianship
Adoption
Mediation
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of combined experience in family law and estate planning
- Our team includes award-winning attorneys recognized by Living Magazine and Modern Luxury
- We provide personalized legal strategies tailored to each client's unique circumstances
- Our attorneys maintain active involvement in continuing legal education programs
- We offer comprehensive support across all stages of family law and estate matters
What people say
Professional and efficient
Treated me like a client
Very informative and helpful
Experienced legal guidance
Compassionate support during difficult times
Services
Divorce
Our experienced divorce attorneys guide clients through Texas' community property laws and custody arrangements. We specialize in contested and uncontested divorces, including QDRO preparation, spousal support determinations, and property division. Our team prioritizes minimizing conflict while protecting clients' financial interests and parental rights through strategic legal representation.
Child Custody
We provide comprehensive child custody services including establishment of visitation schedules, modification of existing arrangements, and paternity determinations. Our attorneys advocate for clients in both married and unmarried parent scenarios, focusing on creating stable environments that serve children's best interests while protecting parental rights through Texas' conservatorship framework.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services include wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents tailored to individual family needs. We specialize in creating customized plans for asset distribution, special needs provisions, and tax-efficient wealth transfer. Our attorneys ensure legal documents meet Texas requirements while providing peace of mind through comprehensive succession planning.
Probate
We guide executors and beneficiaries through Texas probate processes for estates with and without wills. Our services include estate administration, asset distribution, heirship determinations, and court document preparation. We help families navigate complex probate requirements while minimizing delays and conflicts during the settlement of loved ones' estates.
Mediation
Our certified mediators facilitate dispute resolution for family law matters including divorce settlements and custody agreements. We provide neutral third-party facilitation while ensuring clients understand their legal rights. This alternative to litigation helps families reach mutually acceptable agreements through structured negotiation processes that maintain privacy and reduce emotional stress.
People
Teresa De Ford
Owner & Managing Family Law Attorney
With 25+ years of legal experience, Teresa founded DeFord Law Firm in 2012 after transitioning from civil litigation. Recognized by Living Magazine and Modern Luxury, she specializes in family law and estate planning. A University of Houston law graduate, she focuses on empowering clients through life transitions.
Hammad Syed
Senior Family Law Attorney
Recognized as a Power Player by Modern Luxury Magazine, Hammad brings extensive experience in complex family law cases. He specializes in high-net-worth divorces and custody matters, maintaining active involvement in continuing legal education programs to stay current with Texas family law developments.
Hannah Kinney
Family Law Attorney
Hannah provides dedicated representation in divorce and custody cases. She focuses on creating personalized legal strategies that minimize conflict while protecting clients' interests. Her practice emphasizes clear communication and timely responses to client needs throughout legal proceedings.
Christine Torres
Family Law Attorney
Christine offers comprehensive family law services with a focus on client education. She assists with divorce, custody, and support matters, prioritizing transparent communication about legal processes and outcomes while advocating for clients' parental rights and financial interests.
Sabrina Burton
Paralegal
Sabrina supports the legal team with case preparation and client communication. She ensures efficient document management and court filing compliance, maintaining active involvement in case organization to support attorneys' representation of clients' legal interests.
Questions
Do I have to go to court for a divorce in Texas?
No, contested divorces require court intervention. Uncontested divorces through mediation or negotiation typically only need a brief court appearance for final decree approval.
What's the difference between mediation and court proceedings?
Mediation uses a neutral third-party to facilitate agreements without legal advice, while court proceedings involve formal rulings. You can have attorney representation during mediation to protect your interests.
Can I modify an existing child custody agreement?
Yes, modifications require significant changes in circumstances affecting the child's well-being. Courts maintain strict standards for custody modifications to ensure stability for children involved.
How does Texas handle property division during divorce?
Texas uses community property principles, generally dividing marital assets fairly but not necessarily equally. Factors include financial resources, custody arrangements, and property ownership history when determining final distributions.
What estate planning documents are essential?
Essential documents include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. These ensure asset distribution according to your wishes while providing decision-making authority during incapacity.
How do I establish paternity for custody purposes?
Paternity can be established through voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity forms or court-ordered paternity suits when disputed. Legal fatherhood determination is required before custody arrangements can be made for unmarried parents.
